Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) scores a touchdown in the second half in of the Washington Redskins game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. (Photo: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports) LANDOVER, Md. -- The $21.1 million rookie limped around on a busted knee – faster than most – but clearly not himself. His friend, the $2.2 million rookie, was crutch, catalyst and closer on a night the Washington Redskins ended a four-year playoff drought. No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III had one of his poorest passing days rescued by Alfred Morris, the running back chosen five rounds later who rushed for 200 yards in a 28-18, playoff-clinching victory over the Dallas Cowboys. BOX SCORE: Redskins 28, Cowboys 18 Washington (10-6) hosts Seattle (11-5) on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET after claiming the NFC East crown on the final night of the 2012 regular season. The quirky young runner, who despite his new contract continued to drive a 1991 Mazda sedan until it wouldn't start a few weeks ago, set a Redskins team record for individual rushing yards in a season with 1,613. He was a notable NFC Pro Bowl snub before Sunday, and might be in the rookie of the year conversation in any year that didn't include a Griffin III, Andrew Luck or Russell Wilson. A cupcake aficionado with a permanent smile, the pudgy Morris exploited cutback lane after cutback lane, waltzing into the end zone with the underwhelming 4.64-second 40-yard-dash speed that probably made him a late-round pick in April. Asked if other teams missed what the Redskins saw in Morris, coach Mike Shanahan admitted last week: "Well, to be honest with you, we took him in the sixth round. So, we are not that smart either." PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: Breaking down every matchup At the conclusion of 17- and 32-yard touchdown runs, Morris tee'd up an imaginary baseball and knocked it out of the park – a tribute to a little league team he met at a hotel during spring OTAs. He's scored 13 times this season – a Redskins record for rookies receiving or rushing – but none were more crucial than Sunday's, which lifted Washington into the postseason for the first time since 2007. Morris' value on Sunday and beyond was perhaps most evident on a play he didn't even carry the ball. A Griffin III fake handoff to Morris on one of the pistol option plays Mike and Kyle Shanahan installed this season left Cowboys former Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware flat-footed long enough for Griffin III to run 10 yards into the end zone to take a 14-7 third quarter lead. Morris followed up with his 32-yard cutback down the heart of Dallas' injury-hampered front. Washington linebacker Rob Jackson, part of a stunning defensive effort, sealed a victory with a fourth-quarter interception of Romo which set up a 1-yard Morris touchdown run. Romo finished with 218 passing for two scores and three picks. Griffin III, operating on a sprained knee suffered three weeks ago, turned in 100 yards on 9 of 18 passing and 63 yards on six carries. Story Highlights
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